Neands 2 (No.1)
By Dan Salmon
Opening sentence
A gripping adventure in a believable dystopian world, Amber Cayley
August 31, 2022
Neands 2 is the second book in a series by Dan Salmon. It follows the story of five teenagers in a virus-ridden world where they must fight for their future.
The story starts where Neands left off, with Charlie, Pru and Ivy seeking refuge on an island only inhabited by humans, with no Neands in sight. But they cannot sit still knowing the future of humanity is at risk, so they leave their sanctuary to embark on a journey through strife and struggle to find the answers they so strongly desire.
Meanwhile, Em and her younger brother Miro plot to escape the horrors of the Neand-run youth home where they live, where every day is a struggle, hoping they won't be seen by the beady eyes of their beastly captives, for if they are beatings and cruel punishments await. So, Em and Miro take matters into their own hands and take the quite literal leap out of the bathroom window and into the outside world.
When these five teenagers’ paths cross, they must work together to save the fate of humankind, using science and bravery to accomplish the impossible as they fight to reverse the devastating effects of climate change, which have caused the rewind in human genetics. They travel up and down the North Island delivering blood samples, stealing cars and all the while being aware that one wrong move could cost them their lives.
The teenagers begin to realise that reversing the change and bringing Neands back to the humans they once were may not be possible, and maybe instead they will have to learn to live together. They also realise that the vaccine they are so heavily relying on may not be a long-term answer and that the real cure is to start working together with Neands to protect the place they both call home:
“Maybe we will learn to live together but living together is only half the battle. If we’re going to have a chance, we’ll need to show the Neands that the things that threaten humanity threaten them too. I hope we can show them. We all need hope. I can only guess how this broken planet will try to defend itself next.”
Hope is such a powerful thing and with it even the darkest days seem a bit brighter. In a world where Charlie, Pru, Ivy, Em and Miro don’t know much for certain, they must rely on hope to get them through.
I loved Neands by Dan Salmon and Neands 2 was not a disappointment; it is fast-paced and always has you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what is going to happen next. The fact the main characters are teenagers makes it easy to put yourself in their shoes and wonder if you would be able to survive the circumstances they face. It makes you think how you would respond if the world changed completely. The protagonists are forced to grow up quickly and it’s about learning to navigate an adult world when you no longer have the comforts and safety that your parents provided.
Neands 2 is set in a world where the consequences of climate change are very real, and it really makes you stop and think about how we are treating our environment. Salmon uses a good mix of fact and fiction to create a very believable dystopian world that will make any reader cower under their blankets.
The book switches between Charlie’s and Em’s point of view. I liked this as I got a wider range of the story, and learned how each character’s background and upbringing plays a part in how they cope with the ever-changing world around them.
I do think the book could have finished stronger as it kind of just ended without answering the questions that the plot opened up, in a way that wasn't suspenseful. In saying this, it might be because Salmon is planning to continue it on in a third installment in the Neands series. If it is the case, I will definitely be reading the next book.
Overall, Neands 2 is a gripping and well-written novel that keeps the reader entertained with unexpected plot twists and very relatable characters. I would recommend the Neands series to any dystopian and sci-fi fan and to anyone who loved the Maze Runner series. Neands 2 is a great read, and I would rate it a 7/10.
Amber Cayley is in year 10 at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in New Plymouth.
Neands 2 is the second book in a series by Dan Salmon. It follows the story of five teenagers in a virus-ridden world where they must fight for their future.
The story starts where Neands left off, with Charlie, Pru and Ivy seeking refuge on an island only inhabited by humans, with no Neands in sight. But they cannot sit still knowing the future of humanity is at risk, so they leave their sanctuary to embark on a journey through strife and struggle to find the answers they so strongly desire.
Meanwhile, Em and her younger brother Miro plot to escape the horrors of the Neand-run youth home where they live, where every day is a struggle, hoping they won't be seen by the beady eyes of their beastly captives, for if they are beatings and cruel punishments await. So, Em and Miro take matters into their own hands and take the quite literal leap out of the bathroom window and into the outside world.
When these five teenagers’ paths cross, they must work together to save the fate of humankind, using science and bravery to accomplish the impossible as they fight to reverse the devastating effects of climate change, which have caused the rewind in human genetics. They travel up and down the North Island delivering blood samples, stealing cars and all the while being aware that one wrong move could cost them their lives.
The teenagers begin to realise that reversing the change and bringing Neands back to the humans they once were may not be possible, and maybe instead they will have to learn to live together. They also realise that the vaccine they are so heavily relying on may not be a long-term answer and that the real cure is to start working together with Neands to protect the place they both call home:
“Maybe we will learn to live together but living together is only half the battle. If we’re going to have a chance, we’ll need to show the Neands that the things that threaten humanity threaten them too. I hope we can show them. We all need hope. I can only guess how this broken planet will try to defend itself next.”
Hope is such a powerful thing and with it even the darkest days seem a bit brighter. In a world where Charlie, Pru, Ivy, Em and Miro don’t know much for certain, they must rely on hope to get them through.
I loved Neands by Dan Salmon and Neands 2 was not a disappointment; it is fast-paced and always has you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what is going to happen next. The fact the main characters are teenagers makes it easy to put yourself in their shoes and wonder if you would be able to survive the circumstances they face. It makes you think how you would respond if the world changed completely. The protagonists are forced to grow up quickly and it’s about learning to navigate an adult world when you no longer have the comforts and safety that your parents provided.
Neands 2 is set in a world where the consequences of climate change are very real, and it really makes you stop and think about how we are treating our environment. Salmon uses a good mix of fact and fiction to create a very believable dystopian world that will make any reader cower under their blankets.
The book switches between Charlie’s and Em’s point of view. I liked this as I got a wider range of the story, and learned how each character’s background and upbringing plays a part in how they cope with the ever-changing world around them.
I do think the book could have finished stronger as it kind of just ended without answering the questions that the plot opened up, in a way that wasn't suspenseful. In saying this, it might be because Salmon is planning to continue it on in a third installment in the Neands series. If it is the case, I will definitely be reading the next book.
Overall, Neands 2 is a gripping and well-written novel that keeps the reader entertained with unexpected plot twists and very relatable characters. I would recommend the Neands series to any dystopian and sci-fi fan and to anyone who loved the Maze Runner series. Neands 2 is a great read, and I would rate it a 7/10.
Amber Cayley is in year 10 at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in New Plymouth.
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